ACP Vivek Bhagat being assisted after sustaining injuries during violence near Jantar Mantar amid CJP protests.
NEW DELHI: Violence erupted once again near Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Wednesday evening as protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the NEET examination controversy turned confrontational, resulting in injuries to several police personnel, including a senior officer.
On Thursday, Delhi Police registered an FIR at Connaught Place police station concerning the attack on ACP Bhagat and other inspectors. The charges include attempted murder of police personnel, rioting, and destruction of public property.
Police sources have indicated that criminals appear to be infiltrating the protest crowds, with some arriving armed with weapons such as knives. Injuries to officers, including those sustained on Wednesday, are consistent with attacks involving sharp-edged weapons.
Incident Details and Police Account
According to Delhi Police, the clash occurred around 8:30 pm near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place. Some individuals allegedly attacked police with stones and bottles, injuring ACP (Connaught Place) Vivek Bhagat and other personnel. ACP Bhagat, who was on evening duty after handling daytime responsibilities in the Jantar Mantar sector, intervened to rescue a colleague who had been overpowered.
In an interview with ANI, ACP Bhagat recounted: “Yesterday, I was on duty in sector one zone one which includes the main Jantar Mantar area. I was on duty during the day and I had evening shift as well… As we moved forward, we saw water bottles being thrown at the police personnel in front of us while anti-police slogans were being raised.” He described attempting to help an injured officer whose “entire face was covered in blood,” only to be overpowered himself. “The crowd was so huge and violent. They even overpowered me. Police officers were specifically targeted, isolating them and attacking them,” he stated.
Senior officers promptly shifted the injured ACP to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital for treatment. Police described the situation as tense for a short period before it was brought under control with the deployment of additional forces, including the Rapid Action Force.
This marked the second reported instance of stone-pelting injuries to officers on the same day, with another ACP also sustaining a forehead injury earlier.
Delhi Police have registered over 10 FIRs and are utilizing AI-enabled CCTV networks, facial recognition, and social media footage to identify individuals linked to the violent clashes during the recent CJP protest march toward Parliament.
Medical Condition of ACP Vivek Bhagat
Medical updates from RML Hospital detailed the extent of ACP Bhagat’s injuries. He suffered multiple bruises on both upper and lower limbs, shoulder injuries, and swelling over the parieto-occipital region (back of the head). He also experienced bleeding from the ear and episodes of vomiting.
After initial evaluation and treatment in the surgery department, the officer opted to continue further care at AIIMS, New Delhi, and was discharged from RML at his own request. His condition has been described as stable.
The CJP protests at Jantar Mantar, which have been ongoing for weeks, center on demands for accountability regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination and related education sector issues. Led prominently by figures such as Abhijeet Dipke, the movement has drawn students, youth, and activists calling for the resignation of the Education Minister and systemic reforms.
Earlier clashes, including a attempted march toward Parliament, had already resulted in numerous injuries on both sides, lathi charges, tear gas use, and significant police deployments.
CJP representatives, including Dipke, have maintained that the core protesters are peaceful and have alleged that outsiders, sometimes claimed to be affiliated with political elements were introduced to provoke violence and undermine the demonstration. Police, conversely, have pointed to anti-social elements infiltrating the protest site despite appeals for calm.
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